His Mafia Queen

Chapter 28

Amelia's P.O.V

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the beach, a strange shift occurred in Caiden's demeanor. He reached for his phone, a frown forming on his face as he read the message that had just come in. I couldn't help but notice the sudden tension that gripped his features, his body language becoming rigid.

I glanced at Caiden; my curiosity piqued. "What's wrong, Caiden?" I asked, concern lacing my voice. "Is everything okay?"

He hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting between me and his phone. "It's nothing, just a message from Cameron. Nothing important."

But I knew him well enough to sense that something was amiss. His usually open and affectionate demeanor had transformed into a distant and cold one. I tried to press him further, wanting to understand what was going on, but he remained evasive, refusing to answer my questions.

Soon, we gathered our belongings and loaded them into the car. Caiden guided me to the passenger seat, making sure I was seated before walking to the driver's side and starting the ignition. As we sped away from the beach, Caiden's driving became increasingly reckless, his foot heavy on the accelerator. Panic washed over me, and I clutched onto the seat, my heart pounding in my chest. The fear of us getting hurt or causing harm to others on the road consumed my thoughts.

"Caiden, please slow down," I pleaded, my voice trembling with worry. "You're scaring me. We need to be safe."

But he remained stubborn, his grip on the steering wheel unyielding. "Amelia, I need to take care of something. I'm sorry, but I can't slow down right now."

I felt a mix of hurt and frustration wash over me. I had always been there for him, offering my support and understanding. But at that moment, it seemed like he was shutting me out, keeping me at arm's length.

Tears welled up in my eyes as my anxiety escalated. The desperate plea in my voice seemed to go unnoticed, and I felt a deep sense of helplessness.

"Stop the car, please!" I shouted at him, my voice cracking; tears streamed down my cheeks.

Suddenly, as if sensing my distress, Caiden's rigid posture softened. He glanced at me, and his eyes widened in realization. Without saying a word, he pulled the car to a sudden stop on the side of the road, his focus shifting entirely to me.

"Amelia, I'm so sorry," he said, his voice filled with remorse. "I didn't mean to scare you or put us in danger. Please forgive me."

His words cut through my fear, and relief flooded over me. I nodded; my voice choked with emotion. "I was just so worried, Caiden. I care about you, and I don't want anything to happen to us."

He reached out, gently wiping away my tears with his thumb. "I promise, from now on, I'll prioritize our safety and well-being. You mean everything to me, Amelia and I would never want to see you hurt."

We stayed in the car for a few moments, him holding me close as I composed myself. Caiden's apology and his comforting presence reassured me that we were in this together, even during the darkest moments.

Once I had regained my composure, Caiden started the car again, this time driving at a controlled and steady pace. The tension in the air had dissipated, replaced by a newfound understanding and trust between us.

Finally, unable to bear the tension any longer, I gathered my courage and spoke up. "Caiden, something's not right. You're acting so differently, and you won't tell me what's going on. I can't help but feel shut out."

He sighed; his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "Amelia, I... I can't explain everything right now. There are things I need to take care of."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. The sense of rejection overwhelmed me, tears welling up in my eyes. "If something is happening, Caiden, please... let me be there for you. I want to support you, to be by your side."